One day. I have done this for 994 days. At the 1000 day mark I thought about whether I should do it for 5 days. Is it commendable? Did I climb a mountain? Did I hike across Antarctica? No, but I'm proud of myself. And I'm going to enjoy my little moment.
Now for the completely, almost beyond unbelievable end to my journey. I had so many plans for this one final post. But I am sitting here with candles flickering around me, in silence, no tv. About five hours ago a storm brought down a tree and power lines right in front of our house. We have no power and am now my phone battery is winding down. I was going to go through my 995 days and pick out highlights. That little yellow battery marker in the top right corner of my screen is going to not let me look anything up or go into any great detail.
So here's the incredible irony. I've looked forward to 11am tomorrow for 1000 days. The tree blocking my driveway could have been my saviour: stuck at home, have to watch World Cup. The small problem of no electricity means going out to find somewhere to watch.
Oh, I don't think I will ever forget the day before Russia 2018, the day of the 15 minute storm.
The day started with a different "wow" moment. The first headline I saw this morning was that Spain had fired their coach. Fired. Two days before they play their first match. And Spain were looking so quietly confidently good again.
That was quickly followed by the second "what a day this is going to be" moment. The North American bid won the right to host the 2026 World Cup. The football world is coming to Canada. Eight years from now, will I be here for a "home" World Cup. My dream.
So as I come to an end of my last countdown post, I feel emotional when I think of everything that has happened over the last 1000 days. The one thing I don't need to look up and which is by the most personal is the reminder that I won't have my dad to call and talk football with for the next month. I'll miss it and I miss him.
Thank you everybody for reading, even if I didn't know that you were. Thank you to my regulars. I hope you all enjoy the next month in your own way. If you get as much enjoyment out of football as I do because what happens on the pitch is very often the most honest thing we are surrounded by, in this world of fake arguments which we are told are important, then I hope you get to watch a lot and are rewarded with enthusiastic moments of unbridled, innocent happiness.
Good night for the last time....until Day +1 starts tomorrow.
Russia-Saudi Arabia, see you at 11am. Or maybe not.
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